Iraq

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of progress in the political, economic and social conditions in the Iraqi provinces of  (a) Al Basrah,  (b) Al Muthanna,  (c) Dhi Qar and  (d) Maysan.

Kim Howells: holding answer 13 September 2006
	Progress is being made on the political, economic and social fronts in the four southern provinces but is inevitably linked to and dependent on progress in security.
	The handover of security responsibility to Iraqi security forces has started in the South, demonstrating Iraq's progress in building up its political institutions, its security capacity and its commitment to economic development and delivery of basic services. Transition to Provincial Iraqi control took place in Al Muthanna on 13 July 2006, and the Governor and elected local authorities in Dhi Qar will take over responsibility for security before the end of this month. The political situation in Maysan has improved, with the Governor and Provincial Council working with the multi-national force to ensure the province is ready to transition as soon as possible.
	In Basra, despite some difficulties in relations with the Governor, co-operation with the Provincial Council and the Governor himself has continued, particularly in building the capacity of the security forces and the civil authorities. We are working with the Iraqi security forces to implement Prime Minister Maliki's Basra Security Plan, led by General Ali Hammadi. The training and mentoring of the Iraqi Police Service remains a priority in Basra with a focus on developing better leadership capacity, Command and Control structures, and specialist skills. The Basra Provincial Reconstruction Team is working with the Basra authorities to develop and implement economic, governance and reconstruction projects. Improved security would help deliver a range of investment, employment and economic opportunities.
	Data on social conditions in Iraq is patchy and often only available at a national level. Major surveys due shortly from the UN and from the World Bank will add to our understanding. However the UK is working closely with the Government of Iraq and international organisations to improve the infrastructure, including electricity and water supply. Further information canbe found on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename =OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=105 782556187.

Sudan

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with her  (a) United Nations,  (b) European Union and  (c) United States counterparts on the situation in Darfur; what assistance the UK has offered in support of the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 1706; what representations she has made to the Sudanese authorities on accepting resolution 1706; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 13 September 2006
	The UK played a leading role in the UN Security Council's decision to adopt UN Security Council resolution (UNSCR) 1706 on 31 August. A UK military officer has been seconded to the UN Secretariat to assist in planning for the deployment of a UN force. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, has spoken to the Sudanese Foreign Minister and publicly called on the Sudanese Government to accept UNSCR 1706. Both my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development (Hilary Benn) and our ambassador in Khartoum have met with representatives from the Sudanese Government to press them to accept a UN force for Darfur. We have discussed the situation in Darfur with other members of the Security Council, the EU, the African Union, the Arab League and other key international actors, and urge all those with influence over the Sudanese Government to help persuade Khartoum to accept UNSCR 1706. I raised this personally with the Egyptian Government and the Secretary-General of the Arab League during my recent visit to Cairo.

Housing

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much the Government has spent on building social housing; and how many new social housing units were completed in each of the last 20 years.

Yvette Cooper: I have been asked to reply.
	Government capital provision through local authorities and the Housing Corporation for both new and existing housing since 1986 is as follows:
	
		
			   £ million 
			 1986-87 2,296 
			 1987-88 2,327 
			 1888-89 2,252 
			 1989-90 2,330 
			 1990-91 3,031 
			 1991-92 3,708 
			 1992-93 4,267 
			 1993-94 3,765 
			 1994-95 3,169 
			 1995-96 2,720 
			 1996-97 2,432 
			 1997-98 1,894 
			 1998-99 2,098 
			 1999-2000 2,173 
			 2000-01 2,866 
			 2001-02 3,312 
			 2002-03 3,598 
			 2003-04 4,685 
			 2004-05 4,767 
			 2005-06 5,213 
			 2006-07 5,266 
			 2007-08 5,628 
		
	
	Of this, expenditure through the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme on the provision of social rented housing is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Expenditure on Social Rent Provision 
			   £ million 
			 1992-93 1,492 
			 1993-94 1,395 
			 1994-95 1,106 
			 1995-96 819 
			 1996-97 707 
			 1997-98 458 
			 1998-99 451 
			 1999-2000 525 
			 2000-01 577 
			 2001-02 647 
			 2002-03 762 
			 2003-04 1,175 
			 2004-05 1,045 
			 2005-06 (provisional) 933 
			 2006-08 (estimate) 2,684 
			  Source: Housing Corporation. 
		
	
	Expenditure on social rent provision includes both new build and additions to the stock which are acquired and refurbished. Information is not available prior to 1992-93.
	Information on the provision to local authorities cannot be sub-divided between new supply and other support for housing.
	For the number of social housing units made available I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Yeovil, on 21 March 2006,  Official Report, column 279W.

Relative Need

John Hemming: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the relative need factors are; and what value they have for the financial year 2006-07.

Phil Woolas: I have been asked to reply.
	The Relative Needs Formulae are, based on the demographic, physical and social characteristics of each area, used in the calculation of Formula Grant. Formula Grant comprises Revenue Support Grant, Redistributed Business Rates and principal formula Police Grant.
	In 2006-07, the total of all the Relative Needs Formulae is factor of 0.67811309347259. The total for each of the separate Relative Needs Formulae are given in Annex E of the Local Government Finance Report (England) 2006-07.
	The Relative Needs Formulae for each local authority can be found on the Department for Communities and Local Government website at:
	http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/0607/g:rant.htm

Water Conservation

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer from the then Minister for the Environment to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar of 4 May 2006,  Official Report, columns 1732-3W, on water conservation resources, when a copy of the sustainability impacts study of additional house building scenarios in England will be placed in the Library.

Yvette Cooper: Copies of the sustainability impacts study of additional housing scenarios in England were placed in the Library on 27 April 2006. The report is also available on the Department for Communities and Local Government website at: http://www. communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1162086.

Student Transport Grants

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what the  (a) average and  (b) maximum subsidy per student paid was to local education authorities for post-16 student transport grants for each local education authority for each year between 2001-02 and 2006-07;
	(2)  for how much each local education authority in England bid in respect of resources for transport grants for school and college students over the age of 16 years; and how much each received for each year between 2001-02 and 2006-07.

Parmjit Dhanda: holding answer 18 September 2006
	No specific grants are provided by central Government to fund post 16 transport. Local authorities' responsibilities for transport provision and concessionary fares is funded through formula grant from central government (comprised in the main of Revenue Support Grant and National Non Domestic Rates) and through income generated by councils, including council tax. Formula grant is not hypothecated to a particular service and councils are free to use the funding in line with the wishes of their electorate and taking into account their statutory responsibilities.
	Amendments were made to the Education Act 2002 that placed a duty on local authorities to ensure that transport was not a barrier to students of sixth form age wanting to participate in FE. DfES does not provide direct funding for post 16 transport but has made available a small amount of funding to each local authority to enable them to meet their statutory duties by forming transport partnership groups and developing their local transport policies and transport arrangements. The overall DfES funding for each year is 2003/04 £14 million, 2004/05 £13 million, 2005/06 £12 million, 2006/07 £12 million.
	Individual post-16 students are also able to access hardship funds from their school or college to help with costs of further education, including transport, and individual learners who receive education maintenance allowance may use an element of the allowance to contribute towards transport costs.

Cattle Valuations

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs by what means market valuations are derived for the purpose of cattle compensation.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 18 September 2006
	 : Cattle compensation for four notifiable diseases (bovine tuberculosis, brucellosis, bovine spongiform encephalopathy and enzootic bovine leukosis) in England is determined each month. This is done primarily using table valuations based on average sales prices achieved for pre-determined cattle categories, drawn up in consultation with the industry. To support the system, sales data is continuously collected by an independent service provider from a large number and wide range of sources across Great Britain . These sources include 'regular' markets, dispersal sales, and breed sales.
	Table valuations are based on real sales prices achieved at market; the compensation payable in respect of an individual animal is the average market price for its category. There are 47 categories in total and these are split into non-pedigree and pedigree. At the end of each month, the average sales figure is determined. For non-pedigree categories the average is calculated from one month's data, and for pedigree categories six months data is used.

Home Composting

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage greater home composting; and if he will seek to persuade local authorities to remove putrescible waste from landfill.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 18 September 2006
	Composting is high up the waste hierarchy and is supported by a range of policies that promote sustainable waste management. National and local targets for composting and recycling are currently being reviewed as part of the wider review of the Waste Strategy.
	The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) estimates that over 34 per cent. of households already participate in home composting schemes, with 23 percent of British households composting both kitchen and garden waste. WRAP is working with local authorities and other partners to increase this further through websites, a dedicated helpline and the distribution of one million home composting bins to households across the country.
	Local authorities are strictly limited in the amount of biodegradable waste they can landfill by their allocations under the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme. A further incentive is provided by the annually increasing landfill tax, which currently stands at£21 per tonne.

Afghanistan

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many troops have been committed by each country to the conflict in Afghanistan; and if he will make statement on the availability of troops from other NATO countries.

Des Browne: holding answer 13 September 2006
	ISAF currently comprises around 20,000 troops from 37 NATO and non-NATO nations:
	Albania, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, and United States of America.
	The precise numbers offerees deployed by each nation fluctuates. At present the largest ISAF troop contributors are the following: the UK (around 5,000), Germany (around 2,750), Canada and the Netherlands (around 2,000), Italy (around 1,600), US (around 1,300), and France (almost 1,000); and many nations are also contributing essential enablers and capabilities such as helicopters, air support and medical facilities.
	Identification of additional forces and capabilities for deployment is a matter for the NATO force generation process. We are working with NATO Allies and non-NATO troop contributors to ensure that commanders on the ground have access to the resources they need to carry out the ISAF mission.
	There are also around 18,600 international troops in and around Afghanistan under the coalition-led Operation Enduring Freedom. The bulk of these are from the US, but this also includes forces from a number of NATO Allies.

Afghanistan

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which  (a) Ministers,  (b) hon. Members and  (c) Members of the House of Lords visited British troops in Afghanistan in (i) July and (ii) August 2006.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 18 September 2006
	In July, the following Members of the House of Commons Defence Committee visited Afghanistan:
	James Arbuthnot MP
	David Borrow MP
	Dai Havard MP
	David Hamilton MP
	Adam Holloway MP
	Brian Jenkins MP
	Kevan Jones MP
	Mark Lancaster MP
	Willie Rennie MP
	John Smith MP
	The right hon. David Cameron MP, Leader of the Opposition, and Liam Fox MP, also visited in July as did the noble and gallant Lord Boyce.
	In August, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development (Hilary Benn MP), visited British troops.

Demobilised Reservists (Mental Health Services)

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements are in place to ensure that ex-Territorial Army soldiers who served in Iraq receive assistance from his Department if they become subject to post traumatic stress disorder.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 18 September 2006
	The responsibility for the medical care of ex-service personnel, whether regular or reserve, lies with the NHS. This has been the established practice since 1948 under successive Governments. Where an individual is also a war pensioner, he or she is entitled to priority treatment for his or her accepted condition within the NHS. Priority is decided by the clinician in chargeand applies to physical and mental health problems. For conditions that are due to service where treatment is not available under the NHS, the Governmentalso funds care at the specialist mental healthcharity Combat Stress facilities, which last year cost £2.8 million.
	The health needs of the majority of veterans will be met by current NHS provisions. However, MOD has work in hand to ensure that there is a coherent response to veterans' mental health issues, co-ordinating inputs from the NHS, Health Departments throughout the UK, the services and ex-service organisations, including Combat Stress. The MOD is also working on a number of further measures for the prevention and management of operational stress, and has work in hand to ensure that service leavers can recognise the signs of stress and know where to go for help, using suitable magazine-style material.
	The MOD is currently developing detailed arrangements for the enhanced post-operational mental healthcare programme for recently demobilised reservists. The programme will offer a mental health assessment, conducted by appropriately qualified members of the Defence Medical Services (DMS). This will be available to any member of the reserve forces who has been demobilised since January 2003 following deployment on any operation overseas and who has a concern about their mental health as a result. If individuals are then assessed as having a mental health problem that is categorised primarily as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or a related traumatic adjustment disorder, and that is directly related to their operational deployment and of a nature that can be treated within the resources of the DMS, then they will be offered out-patient treatment by the DMS.
	If the assessment identifies cases that fall outside the parameters set out above, such as complex multi-disorder diagnoses or acute cases requiring in-patient care, the DMS will refer them—with our assessment results—back to their civilian GP in order to assist their access to NHS treatment, as well as encouraging contact with the relevant welfare organisations to ensure follow-up.
	As my predecessor, the hon. Member for West Bromwich, said in his statement on 16 May, a further announcement will be made later this year to confirm the details of the programme, including the location(s) at which the assessments will be provided, and the date on which the service will commence.

Landing Ships Dock (Auxiliary) Project

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he plans to publish the findings of his Department's lessons learned study following the decision to terminate the contract with Swan Hunter for the Landing Ships Dock (Auxiliary) Project.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 13 September 2006
	Preparations have begun for the lessons learned review into the Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary) project. It is intended to make the outcome of the findings publicly available, after the National Audit Office have conducted their value for money study into the project.

Middle East

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what categories of military material have been transported from the US to Israel via the UK since1 January; and whether these included depleted uranium material.

Des Browne: holding answer 13 September 2006
	The Government routinely withholds details of Dangerous Air Cargo transported as this would be prejudicial to international relations and UK Defence interests.

Suez Campaign

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  why  (a) questions (i) 65386 and (ii) 65389, on the Suez Canal Zone campaign, tabled fornamed day answer on 27 April and  (b) question 72193, on those questions, tabled for named day answer on23 May, has not been substantively answered;
	(2)  when he will reply to the question  (a) 65386 and  (b) 65389, on the Suez Canal Zone campaign, tabled for named day answer on 27 April 2006.

Derek Twigg: holding answers 4 July 2006 and23 May 2006
	I replied to the hon. Member earlier. It is regretted that it has taken so long to respond to the hon. Member's questions.

Child Support

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff are employed by the Child Support Agency; and how many were employed as of 1 July  (a) 1997,  (b) 2000 and  (c) 2005.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive. He will write to the right hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many staff are employed by the Child Support Agency; and how many were employed as of 1st July (a) 1997 (b) 2000 and (c) 2005.
	The information requested can be seen in the attached table.
	I hope this information is helpful.
	
		
			  Number of people employed by the Child Support Agency 
			  Date  Number of people in post( 1) 
			 1997-98 (2)8,445 
			   
			  1 July  
			 2000 9,460 
			 2005 10,285 
			 2006 11,545 
			 (1) The figures provided show the actual number of people in post, some of whom may be part-time.(2) Data is not held for 1 July 1997. The figure provided is taken from the 1997-98 Annual Report and Accounts, which shows the average number of employees over the financial year using DATAVIEW method of counting. This method shows the actual numbers of people in post but excludes those on special leave without pay (including career break, maternity leave and other reasons).

Identity Fraud

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to reduce identity fraud in the benefits system; and what discussions he has had with  (a) the Home Office and  (b) related Government agencies on the subject.

James Plaskitt: The Department of Work and Pensions' (DWP) overall aim is to always establish the correct identity of a person prior to providing a benefit or service.
	Before entitlement to benefit can be considered, an individual and their partner need to satisfy Section 1(1b) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992. This requires the customer to provide enough information and evidence to confirm that a national insurance number (NINO) quoted on the claim is their own. Where a customer does not know their NINO, they are required to provide enough information and evidence in order that the correct NINO can be traced. If the customer does not have a NINO, they are required to verify their identity and provide enough information in order that a NINO can be issued.
	We have established secure procedures for the allocation of national insurance numbers to adults, conducting rigorous checks to ensure that adult national insurance numbers are only issued to those who have undergone an evidence of identity interview.
	DWP staff are trained in preventing identity fraud and refer any suspected cases for investigation. DWP prosecutes for identity fraud offences, including attempts to obtain national insurance numbers using false documentation. This forms a useful deterrence against those fraudsters who attempt to infiltrate DWP systems.
	DWP expects to maximise the use of the proposed Identity Card across its businesses when ascertaining an individual's right to benefit and we are working with the Home Office to develop such future applications.
	DWP is represented on the Home Office Identity Fraud Steering Committee which has a remit to implement measures to counter identity fraud. Other representatives of this group include the private sector and other Government Departments such as HMRC with whom we work closely.
	Work is ongoing through this Committee to implement measures against identity fraud that can be put in place in advance of the proposed National Identity Scheme.

National Insurance

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of applicants for national insurance numbers were called for face-to-face interviews in the last 12 months for which data is available.

James Plaskitt: Jobcentre Plus conducted face-to-face interviews for 93 per cent. of national insurance number applicants between June 2005 and May 2006, the last 12 months for which data is available
	The remaining 7 per cent. were fast path applicants. Fast path is used for HM Forces, NHS professionals, employers with Home Office approved work permits and people who have sought and been granted asylum in the UK. NINOs are issued to the latter group without interview because the Home Office provide relevant information gathered during IND interviews with asylum seekers to Jobcentre Plus.

Pathways to Work

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what consultation there will be on local partnership arrangements in preparation for the start of provider-led Pathways to Work provision in  (a) Oxfordshire,  (b) Berkshire and  (c) Buckinghamshire from April 2008.

Jim Murphy: Provider-led Pathways is scheduled to start in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire district, along with 15 other districts, as part of the final phase of rollout in April 2008.
	The Jobcentre Plus Pathways to Work team will hold provider events following the publication of the pre-qualification questionnaire and the invitation to tender to promote local partnership working later this year. They will also work with districts to promote Pathways with local strategic partners in order to encourage them to work in partnership with Pathways providers. They will then run a series of joint workshops with providers, local strategic partners and each district. Partnership working will also be encouraged as part of the local start-up arrangements prior to go-live in April 2008.

Poverty

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of  (a) children,  (b) people and  (c) elderly people in (i) rural areas and (ii) England live in poverty.

Jim Murphy: The information for 1996-97 and for 2004-05 is in the following tables.
	
		
			  Proportion of children, all individuals and pensioners falling below 60 per cent. of the contemporary median income, in rural areas: England, 1996-97 
			  Percentages 
			   Before housing costs  After housing costs 
			 Children 19 27 
			 All individuals 16 21 
			 Pensioners 23 27 
		
	
	
		
			  Proportion of children, all individuals and pensioners falling below 60 per cent. of the contemporary median income, in rural areas: England, 2004/05 
			  Percentages 
			   Before housing costs  After housing costs 
			 Children 13 20 
			 All individuals 13 16 
			 Pensioners 20 17 
			  Notes: 1. A pensioner is a person of state pension age or above (65 for men, 60 for women). 2. The urban/rural marker information is not available on a consistent basis on the data for Scotland and Wales.  Source: Family Resource Survey 
		
	
	
		
			  Proportion of children, all individuals and pensioners falling below 60 per cent. of the contemporary median income: England, 1996/97 
			  Percentages 
			   Before housing costs  After housing costs 
			 Children 24 33 
			 All individuals 18 25 
			 Pensioners 22 28 
		
	
	
		
			  Proportion of children, all individuals and pensioners falling below 60 per cent. of the contemporary median Income: England, 2004/05 
			  Percentages 
			   Before housing costs  After housing costs 
			 Children 19 28 
			 All individuals 16 20 
			 Pensioners 20 17 
			  Notes: 1. A pensioner is a person of state pension age or above (65 for men, 60 for women). 2. All results shown here are single-year values. Results for England may differ to the published results. Published results are presented as three-year averages to ensure comparability with the other Government office regions.  Source:  Family Resource Survey

Workless Older People

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of people below the state pension age who are not in work who are willing and able to work.

Jim Murphy: The most commonly used definition of people who are not in work who are willing and able to work is the International Labour Office (ILO) definition of unemployment. The ILO unemployed are people who are without a job; want a job; have actively sought work in the last four weeks; and are available to start work in the next two weeks.
	The latest figures for ILO unemployment (seasonally adjusted) are from the Labour Force Survey and cover the period March to May 2006. This shows that there were 1,623,000 people below state pension age who are not in work who are willing and able to work.
	The Government's ambition is to provide employment opportunities for all not only by helping the ILO unemployed get a job but also to help the economically inactive—generally those who are not looking for work—to consider work and help them into work.
	The combination of macroeconomic stability and welfare to work policies has been successful in achieving high employment rates. The Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), in their re-assessment of their Jobs Strategy, identified the UK as a successful performer. Their latest (2006) Employment Outlook also shows that the UK has the best combination of low ILO unemployment and inactivity rates of all the major G8 countries.

Association for Research (Voluntary & Community)

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding his Department has given to the Association for Research in the Voluntary and Community Sector in each year since 1997; and what plans it has for further such funding.

Vernon Coaker: The Association for Research in the Voluntary and Community Sector has been a recipient of Home Office core funding since 1997, when it received £44,414 until 2005-06 when it received £42,033. The Active Communities Directorate (ACD) of the Home Office announced a new strategic funding programme in October 2005, for organisations that could provide representative and effective 'voice' for the VCS at national level. ARVAC were unsuccessful in their bid for new funding, but as they had received funding in 2005-06 they received a transitional package of funding of £27,000 for 2006-07 to support them in managing the transition. Following the Cabinet reshuffle on 5 May, the Active Communities Directorate (ACD) now forms part of the Office of the Third Sector in the Cabinet Office.

Asylum Seekers

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many failed asylum seekers are in receipt of the National Asylum Support Service section 4 support, broken down by  (a) nationality,  (b) accommodation provider,  (c) region and  (d) length of time on section 4 support.

Tony McNulty: As at the end of December 2005 there were 5,181 failed asylum seekers in receipt of section four support. This figure is based on management information.
	The breakdowns are presented in the following tables.
	Section 4 support statistics are published on a quarterly basis. Figures relating to the first quarter of 2006 will be published on 23 May 2006. These will be available from the Libraries of the House and on the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.
	
		
			  Nationality breakdown 
			  Nationality field  Total 
			 Afghanistan 70 
			 Albania 5 
			 Algeria 30 
			 Angola 30 
			 Armenia 5 
			 Azerbaijan 5 
			 Belarus * 
			 Bosnia-Herzegovina * 
			 Burkina Faso * 
			 Burma (Myanmar) 5 
			 Burundi 30 
			 Cambodia (Kampuchea) * 
			 Cameroon 30 
			 China (People's Republic of China) 55 
			 Congo 170 
			 Congo Democratic Republic (formerly Zaire) 85 
			 Croatia * 
			 Cuba 5 
			 East Timor * 
			 Ecuador 5 
			 Egypt * 
			 Eritrea 460 
			 Estonia * 
			 Ethiopia 130 
			 Gambia * 
			 Georgia 5 
			 Ghana * 
			 Guinea 15 
			 India 15 
			 Iran 305 
			 Iraq 2,960 
			 Israel * 
			 Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire) 30 
			 Jamaica 5 
			 Kenya 15 
			 Kosovo * 
			 Kuwait 5 
			 Latvia * 
			 Lebanon 5 
			 Liberia 15 
			 Libya (Arab Republic) * 
			 Macedonia (former Yugoslav Republic of) * 
			 Malawi * 
			 Malaysia * 
			 Mauritania 5 
			 Mauritius * 
			 Moldova * 
			 Mongolia 5 
			 Montenegro * 
			 Morocco * 
			 Nepal 5 
			 Niger * 
			 Nigeria 20 
			 Pakistan 20 
			 Palestine 55 
			 Poland * 
			 Romania 5 
			 Russia 20 
			 Rwanda 15 
			 Senegal * 
			 Serbia * 
			 Seychelles * 
			 Sierra Leone 20 
			 Somalia 155 
			 South Africa 15 
			 Sri Lanka 25 
			 Stateless Person (Article 1 of 1954 Convention) * 
			 Sudan 120 
			 Swaziland * 
			 Syria 15 
			 Tajikistan * 
			 Tanzania * 
			 Togo 5 
			 Turkey 15 
			 Uganda 20 
			 Ukraine 5 
			 Vietnam 5 
			 Yemen 5 
			 Yugoslavia 5 
			 Zimbabwe 105 
			 Total 5,181 
		
	
	
		
			  Accommodation provider breakdown 
			  Provider field  Total 
			 Angel Group 670 
			 Capital 250 
			 Caradon Estates 950 
			 Clearsprings 430 
			 M&Q 2,485 
			 RCA Sheffield 280 
			 Safehaven 30 
			 YMCA Glasgow 80 
			 YMCA West London 5 
			 Total 5,181 
		
	
	
		
			  Regional breakdown 
			  Region  Total 
			 East Midlands 500 
			 East of England 35 
			 London 980 
			 North East 185 
			  Note:  All figures are rounded to the nearest five, and "*" = 1 or 2 
		
	
	Due to founding, the total of the numbers in each table may not equate to the figure shown.
	Figures provided for the breakdown of accommodation providers is a snapshot and contract provision is under review.
	Average number of days in accommodation (rounded to the nearest whole) = 279.

Asylum Seekers

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum claims have been deemed to be unfounded in each of the last five years.

Liam Byrne: Information on the number of asylum claims deemed to be unfounded is available from 2004 and has been published as part of the public performance target: removing more failed asylum seekers than new anticipated unfounded applications. Copies of this report are available at the IND website:
	http://www.ind. homeoffice.gov.uk/6353/aboutus/tipping points results.pdf
	The next report covering the second quarter of 2006 will be published on 22 August 2006.

Biometric Passports

James McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has considered allowing people to pay for their passport in instalments when biometric passports are introduced.

Andy Burnham: There are currently no plans to introduce payment by instalments for biometric passports and there has been no pressure from customers to date to do so. In terms of future fees strategy we will explore all aspects of charging including methods of fee collection but any changes will need to be focussed in terms of efficiency and minimising administrative costs.

Crime Statistics

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many people have been convicted of  (a) (i) racist and (ii) homophobic crimes and  (b) religiously aggravated crimes in each year since 1997 in (A) each region in England and (B) the Tees Valley;
	(2)  how many people have been convicted of crimes against  (a) Jews,  (b) Muslims,  (c) Hindus,  (d) Sikhs and  (e) Christians in (i) each region in England and (ii) the Tees Valley in each year since 1997.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Data from the court proceedings database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform on the number of persons convicted at all courts for offences relating to racial, or religious, by region in England, are contained in the following table. It is not possible to separately identify the Tees Valley, as the data are not collected at this level of detail, therefore data for Cleveland police force area has been provided in lieu of Tees Valley. It is not possible to separately identify the specific religion, race, or gender orientation of the victim from the data as information about the victim is not collected.
	The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 Sections 4A, 29, 31, 32, and 47, came into effect in late 1998. There were no convictions pre 1999. Offences involving religious aggravation were separately identified in the data collected from the start of 2002.
	Statistics for 2005 court proceedings will be available in the autumn of 2006.
	Number of people found guilty at all courts, for offences relating to racism, and religious intolerance, in the north east region of England, 1999 to 2004(1)
	
		
			North East 
			  Offence Act  Offence description  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004 
			 Offences against the Person Act 1861 Sec. 20 as amended by Crime & Disorder Act 1998 Sec. 29(1 )(a),(2) Racially aggravated malicious wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm — — 1 2 1 1 
			 Offences against the Person Act 1861 Sec. 47 (in part) as amended by Crime & Disorder Act 1998 Sec. 29(1)(b),(2) Racially Aggravated Assaults occasioning actual bodily harm (malicious wounding) — 7 7 7 4 7 
			 Crime & Disorder Act 1998 Sec 29(1)(c) and (3) Racially Aggravated Common Assault 5 14 10 16 9 31 
			 Public Order Act 1986 Sec 4A as amended by Crime & Disorder Act 1998 Sec.31 (1)(b),(4) Racially Aggravated causing intentional harassment, alarm or distress — 11 22 19 5 11 
			 Protection from Harassment Act 1997 Sec.2 as amended by Crime & Disorder Act 1998 Sec.32(1)(a),(3) Racially Aggravated Offence of Harassment 3 2 6 1 3 1 
			 Protection from Harassment Act 1997 Sec.4 as amended by Crime & Disorder Act 1998 Sec 32(1)(b),(4) Racially Aggravated Putting people in fear of violence 3 2 2 2 2 — 
			 Offences Against the Person Act 1861 S20 as amended by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 S29(1)(a) & (2) Religiously aggravated malicious wounding of GBH — — — — — — 
			 Offences Against the Person Act 1861 S47 as amended by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 S29(1)(b) & (2) Religiously aggravated ABH — — — — — — 
			 Common Law & Crime and Disorder Act 1998 S29(1)(c) & (3) Religiously aggravated common assault — — — — — — 
			 Public Order Act 1986 Sec 4A as amended by Crime & Disorder Act 1998 Sec.31 (1)(b),(4) Religiously aggravated causing intentional harassment, alarm or distress — — — — 1 3 
			 Protection from Harassment Act 1997 S.2 as amended by Crime and Disorder Act 1998 S.32(1)(a) & (3) Religiously aggravated offence of harassment — — — — — — 
			 Protection from Harassment Act 1997 S.4 as amended by Crime and Disorder Act 1998 S.32(1)(b) & (4) Religiously aggravated putting people in fear of violence — — — — — — 
			 Offences Against the Person Act 1861 S20 as amended by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 S29(1Xa) & (2) Racially or religiously aggravated malicious wounding or GBH — — — — 1 1 
			 Offences Against the Person Act 1861 S47 as amended by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 S29(1)(b) & (2) Racially or religiously aggravated ABH — — — — — — 
			 Common Law & Crime and Disorder Act 1998 S29(1)(c) & (3) Racially or religiously aggravated common assault — — — — — 1 
			 Public Order Act 1986 Sec 4A as amended by Crime & Disorder Act 1998 Sec.31 (1)(b),(4) Racially or religiously aggravated causing intentional harassment, alarm or distress — — — 3 10 5 
			 Protection from Harassment Act 1997 S.2 as amended by Crime and Disorder Act 1998 S.32(1)(a)& (3) Racially or religiously aggravated offence of harassment — — — — 1 4 
			 Protection from Harassment Act 1997 S.4 as amended by Crime and Disorder Act 1998 S.32(1)(b)& (4) Racially or religiously aggravated putting people in fear of violence — — — — 1 — 
			 Criminal Damage Act 1970 Sec 1 (1) as added by Crime and Disorder Act 1998 S.30 (1) & (2) Racially aggravated other criminal damage (any amount) 3 5 9 13 11 18 
			 Criminal Damage Act 1971 Sec.1 (1) as added by Crime & Disorder Act 1998 Sec30(1) and (2) Religiously aggravated other criminal damage (any amount) — — — — — — 
			 Criminal Damage Act 1971 Sec.1(1) as added by Crime & Disorder Act 1998 Sec30(1) and (2) Racially or religiously aggravated other criminal damage (any amount) — — — — 1 2 
			 Public Order Act 1986 sec4 as amended by Crime & Disorder Act 1998 Sec 31(1)(a),(4) Racially Aggravated Fear or provocation of violence 8 9 12 16 18 21 
			 Public Order Act 1986 sec4 as amended by Crime & Disorder Act 1998 Sec 31(1)(a),(4) Religiously Aggravated Fear or provocation of violence — — — — — 1 
			 Public Order Act 1986 S.4 as amended by Crime and Disorder Act 1998 S.31(1)(a) and (4) Racially or religiously aggravated fear or provocation of violence — — — 1 2 1 
			 Public Order Act 1986 Sec 5 as amended by Crime & Disorder Act Sec 31 (1)(b),(5) Racially Aggravated Harassment, alarm or distress 1 13 29 38 79 82 
			 Public Order Act 1986 S.5 as amended by Crime and Disorder Act 1998 S.31 (1)(c) & (5) Religiously aggravated harassment, alarm or distress — — — — — — 
			 Public Order Act 1986 S.5 as amended by Crime and Disorder Act 1998 S.31(1)(c) & (5) Racially or religiously aggravated harassment, alarm or distress — — — — 11 6

Foreign Nationals (UK Entry)

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign nationals entered the United Kingdom for the purpose of  (a) business,  (b) tourism and  (c) immigration in each year since 1997.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 24 July 2006
	The requested figures are in the table. These are from the Home Office Statistical Bulletin "Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom" publication for the years 1997 to 2004. 2005 figures will be published on 22 August 2006 in the Command Paper "Control of Immigration: Statistics, United Kingdom 2005", and may be obtained from the Library of the House and from the Home Office website http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html

Foreign Prisoners

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 18 April 2006,  Official Report, column 337W, on prisons, how many cases of  (a) foreign nationals and  (b) dual nationals have been referred to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate by the Prison Service in each of the last three years.

Liam Byrne: My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and his predecessor have provided regular statistical updates to the House on the number of cases where foreign national prisoners were released without proper deportation consideration. In particular I refer my hon. Friend to the most recent written ministerial statements of 15 and 23 May 2006. We will continue to update the House on the 1,019 cases as we work through these and urgently recheck the information we hold to ensure that any further information we provide to the House is as accurate as possible. We aim to provide a further update to the House by the end of June.

Ian Missing

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the conclusion of the review commissioned by Essex Police and Essex Probation Services, on the case of Mr. Ian Missing, that their new enhanced measures of sharing information are in breach of national guidelines; and if he will make the necessary changes to national guidelines to address the situation.

Fiona Mactaggart: The guidance on information sharing referred to in the review accompanies the national standards for the probation service inthe production of pre-sentence reports. It is for use by the Crown Prosecution Service. While it does not specify any police-held information that should be excluded, it only stipulates what must be included. Providing additional information, such as previous arrests, would not, technically, be in breach of agreed guidelines. As a result of the report the NPD will involve the national Police and the CPS in clarifying the guidance.

Methamphetamine

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research he has  (a) commissioned and  (b) evaluated on the misuse of methamphetamine.

Paul Goggins: The Government primarily takes their advice on controlled drugs from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD).
	The key evidence commissioned and considered by the Government on Methylamphetamine is the ACMD Methylamphetamine Report published in November 2005 and is available at www.drugs.gov.uk via the ACMD web-pages.
	We have not specifically commissioned any other work, although we do take a close interest in other reports that are published.

Police

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what average number of hours was expended by police officers in investigating a burglary in 2005-06.

Tony McNulty: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Police Community Support Officers

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to collect data routinely on assaults on police community services officers; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 18 September 2006
	Assaults on police community support officers (PCSOs) are not identified separately by the Home Office in the recorded crime data. They are recorded under the more general category of common assault if no injury results. If injury is involved they are recorded under the appropriate category of Violence against the Person (defined in terms of sections of the Offences against the Person Act 1861).
	Within the police personnel data collection, assaults data is collected on behalf of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary's (HMIC's). Assaults on all police officers and police staff (including PCSOs) are published in HMIC's annual report.
	Assaults data from the police personnel data collection is not available by number of assaults per head of population.

Statutory Instruments

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the statutory instruments introduced by his Department since 6 May 2005.

John Reid: Please find the statutory instruments introduced by the Home Office since 6 May 2005 up to and including 27 January 2006 listed as follows. Full texts can be found on the OPSI website at www.opsi.gov.uk
	The Displaced Persons (Temporary Protection) Regulations 2005 (No. 1379)
	The Police Pensions (Part-time Service) Regulations 2005(No. 1439)
	The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (Commencement No. 1, Transitional and Transitory Provisions) Order 2005 (No. 1521 (C.66))
	The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (Designated Area) Order 2005 (No. 1537)
	The Road Traffic Act 1988 (Retention and Disposal of Seized Motor Vehicles) Regulations 2005 (No. 1606)
	The Drugs Act 2005 (Commencement No. 1) Order 2005(No. 1650 (C. 68))
	The Misuse of Drugs (Designation) (Amendment) Order 2005 (No. 1652)
	The Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2005(No. 1653)
	The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 (Commencement No. 1) Order 2005 (No. 1675 (C. 69))
	The Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 (Commencement No. 2) Order 2005 (No. 1705 (C. 71))
	The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (Responsible Authorities) Order 2005 (No. 1789)
	The Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Commencement No. 10 and Saving Provisions) Order 2005 (No. 1817 (C. 76))
	The Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 (Commencement No. 3) Order 2005 (No. 1821 (C. 77))
	The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (Commencement No. 2) Order 2005 (No. 2026 (C. 86))
	The Extradition Act 2003 (Amendment to Designations) ((No.2) Order 2005 (No. 2036)
	The Remand in Custody (Effect of Concurrent and Consecutive Sentences of Imprisonment) Rules 2005(No. 2054)
	The Private Security Industry (Licences) (Amendment)(No. 2) Regulations 2005 (No. 2118)
	The Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Commencement No. eight and Transitional and Saving Provisions)
	Order 2005 (Supplementary Provisions) Order 2005(No. 2122)
	The Police (Amendment) Regulations 2005 (No. 2834)
	The Drugs Act 2005 (Commencement No. 2) Order 2005(No. 2223 (C. 93))
	The Part-time Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2000 (Amendment) Order 2005(No. 2240)
	The Working Time Regulations 1998 (Amendment) Order 2005 (No. 2241)
	The Private Security Industry Act 2001 (Designated Activities) (No. 3) Regulations 2005 (No. 2251)
	The Immigration (Leave to Remain) (Prescribed Forms and Procedures) (No. 2) Regulations 2005 (No. 2358)
	The Accession (Immigration and Worker Registration) (Amendment) Regulations 2005 (No. 2400)
	The Immigration (Eligibility for Assistance) (Scotland and Northern Ireland) (Revocation) Regulations 2005 (No. 2412)
	The Police (Retention and Disposal of Motor Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations 2005 (No. 2702)
	The Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 (Commencement No. 10) Order 2005 (No. 2782 (C. 114))
	The British Nationality (General) (Amendment) Regulations 2005 (No. 2785)
	The Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Mandatory Life Sentences: Appeals in Transitional Cases) Order 2005 (No. 2798)
	The Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 (Commencement No. 4) Order 2005 (No. 2848 (C. 119))
	The Misuse of Drugs and the Misuse of Drugs (Supply to Addicts) (Amendment) Regulations 2005 (No. 2864)
	The Terrorism Act 2000 (Proscribed Organisations) (Amendment) Order 2005 (No. 2892)
	The Immigration (procedure for Formation of Civil Partnerships) Regulations 2005 (No. 2917)
	The Drugs Act 2005 (Commencement No. 3) Order 2005(No. 3053 (C. 128))
	The Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 (Commencement No. 15) Order 2005 (No. 3054 (C. 129))
	The Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Commencement No. 11) Order 2005 (No. 3055 (C. 130))
	The National Police Records (Recordable Offences) (Amendment) Regulations 2005 (No. 3106)
	The Immigration (Provision of Physical Data) (Amendment) Regulations 2005 (No. 3127)
	The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (Commencement No. 3) Order 2005 (No. 3136 (C. 135))
	The Forensic Science Service Trading Fund (Revocation) Order 2005 (No. 3138)
	The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) Order 2005 (No. 3178)(1)
	The Criminal Justice (International Co-operation) Act 1990 (Enforcement of Overseas Forfeiture Orders) Order 2005(No. 3180)(1)
	The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (External Requests and Orders) Order 2005 (No. 3181)(1)
	The Sports Grounds and Sporting Events (Designation) Order 2005 (No. 3204)
	The Asylum (Designated States) (No. 2) Order 2005 (No. 3306)
	(L) The Royal Patriotic Fund Corporation (Transfer of Property, Rights and Liabilities) Order 2005 (No. 3308)
	The Immigration (Designation of Travel Bans) (Amendment) Order 2005 (No. 3310)
	The Retention of Communications Data (Further Extension of Initial Period) Order 2005 (No. 3335)
	The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (Responsible Authorities) (No. 2) Order 2005 (No. 3343)
	The Firearms (Amendment) Rules 2005 (No. 3344)
	The Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2005 (No. 3372)
	The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (Powers of Arrest) (Consequential Amendments) Order 2005 (No. 3389)
	The Victims of Violent Intentional Crime (Arrangements for Compensation) (European Communities) Regulations 2005 (No. 3396)
	The Prison (Amendment) (No. 2) Rules 2005 (No. 3437)
	The Young Offender Institution (Amendment) (No. 2) Rules 2005 (No. 3438)
	The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (Commencement No. four and Transitory Provision) Order 2005 (No. 3495 (C. 146))
	The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (Amendment) Order 2005 (No. 3496)
	The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Codes of Practice) Order 2005 (No. 3503)
	DRAFT Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and Money Laundering Regulations 2003 (Amendment) Order 2005(2)
	The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (References to Financial Investigators) (Amendment) Order 2006 (No. 57)
	The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (Delegation under section 43) Order 2006 (No. 100)
	The Police Act 1996 (Local Policing Summaries) Order 2006 (No. 122)
	DRAFT Community Order (Review by Specified Courts in Liverpool and Salford) Order 2006
	(L) DRAFT Charities (Cheadle Royal Hospital, Manchester) Order 2006
	(1) Orders in Council.
	(2) Order in Council laid as a 2005 Order, to be made as a 2006 Order.
	Local instruments.

Young Offenders

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have left a young offenders institution without  (a) unemployment and  (b) accommodation in each of the past eight years.

Fiona Mactaggart: The information is as follows:
	 (a) It is a disproportionate cost to separate Employment from Education and Training outcomes for prisoners released prior to April 2005.
	Education Training and Employment (ETE) outcomes also include those who attended Freshstart appointments at Jobcentre Plus.
	Freshstart is the initiative whereby prisoners who do not have a job or training place to go to on release are linked into employment, training and benefits advice and support immediately after release.
	Information on the number of those leaving young offender institutions without ETE outcomes has been collected since 2002 and is given in the following table:
	
		
			  Table (a) 
			   2002-03  2003-04  2004-05 
			 Discharges 12,206 11,974 12,611 
			 Number discharged with no recorded education, training or employment place 9,631 7,710 6,853 
			 Percentage discharged with no recorded education, training or employment place 79 64 54 
		
	
	(b) Information on the numbers leaving young offender institutions with no accommodation is available from 2003 onwards, and is given in the following table:
	
		
			  Table (b) 
			   2003-04  2004-05 
			 Discharges 11,974 12,611 
			 Number discharged with no recorded accommodation 2,664 1,673 
			 Percentage discharged with no recorded accommodation 22 13